Kamil Khvizov, Head of the Scientific Group for the Development of New Diagnostic Methods of the Russian Central Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology, announced the registration of several patients infected with the new AY.4.2 Coronavirus strain in Russia.

On Thursday, Khvizov confirmed to reporters that some cases of the new AY.4.2 Coronavirus strain have already been detected in Russia.

He warned of a high possibility of this strain spreading on a large scale in Russia and in the world as a whole, as the virus is spreading at a fast pace.

Khvizov affirmed that the Russian vaccine is effective against the new AY.4.2 strain.

For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced an official paid lockdown that extends from October 30 till November 7 in light of the increasing number of Coronavirus victims in the country.

Putin pointed out that the vaccination rate in the country is still low and led to the rapid spread of the pandemic, as he urged citizens to receive the vaccine.

Russian health authorities had announced the registration of 34,073 new Coronavirus infections and 1,028 deaths on Wednesday.